During a recent Tucson City Council meeting, community members and advocates voiced strong support for the proposed AMFI Housing First Resource Center, emphasizing the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in the city. Representatives from the Pima Council on Aging (PCOA) highlighted alarming statistics from their 2024 community needs assessment, revealing an 18.3% increase in rents from January 2021 to January 2022, significantly impacting older adults who often rely on Social Security income averaging $930 per month. This financial strain has led to a surge in requests for housing assistance, with PCOA reporting 238 requests in May alone.

Several speakers, including Javier Martinez and Eli Young, underscored the severity of the homelessness crisis in Tucson, advocating for the resource center as a vital step towards providing shelter and support services. Martinez noted that local residents are seeking compassionate solutions rather than punitive measures against the unhoused population. Young echoed this sentiment, stating that the resource center could set a precedent for future initiatives across the city.

Tom Litwicki, CEO of OPCS, emphasized the need for emergency shelters that lead to permanent housing, citing over 300 preventable deaths among the unsheltered in Pima County each year. He urged the council to approve the zoning request to facilitate the resource center's development.

Community engagement specialist Kate Saunders and Tucson Tenants Union outreach coordinator Ronnie Wallenshire also expressed their support, calling for a shift in the city's approach to homelessness that prioritizes care over criminalization. Wallenshire highlighted the need for low-barrier shelters that respect the dignity of individuals experiencing homelessness.

The meeting concluded with a consensus among speakers that the AMFI Housing First Resource Center represents a crucial opportunity to address the growing homelessness crisis in Tucson. Advocates urged the council to act swiftly in approving the necessary zoning changes to facilitate the project, which they believe could significantly improve the lives of many residents in need.